Marijuana advocates move to block new Ohio law from going into effect – The Columbus Dispatch
Recreational marijuana advocates announced Dec. 29 that they’re launching a campaign to put a new law signed by Gov. Mike DeWine up for a statewide vote.
Ohioans for Cannabis Choice filed signatures in the first step for the referendum campaign to ask voters to reject Senate Bill 56.
The new law calls for sweeping restrictions on intoxicating hemp products and new penalties for marijuana users, which the group calls a government overreach. It’s set to take effect in mid-March.
“We’re saying no to SB 56 because it re-criminalizes the Cannabis industry. SB 56 is a slap in the face to voters who overwhelmingly voted to legalize cannabis in 2023,” said Wesley Bryant, a petitioner and owner of 420 Craft Beverages in Cleveland.
The bill would also:
Ohioans voted, 57%-43%, to legalize recreational cannabis in 2023.
DeWine used his veto pen to strike out a provision in the bill that would’ve allowed retailers to sell drinks with no more than 5 milligrams of THC per serving until the end of 2026.
Lawmakers spent months wrestling with the bill before reaching a late-night deal in November.
Under the Ohio Constitution, citizens have the right to collect signatures to temporarily halt a new law from taking effect until voters have a chance to weigh in.
The process requires collecting 1,000 valid signatures on an initial petition, which must be certified by the secretary of state and attorney general.
Once certified, the campaign must collect 248,092 valid voter signatures within 90 days to qualify for the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot.
Making the ballot is far from certain.
In 2019, advocates failed to meet the signature deadline to put House Bill 6 up for a statewide referendum vote. The bill is the centerpiece of the biggest public corruption case in state history.
State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@usatodayco.com and @lbischoff on X.